Bonanza: One Starry Night
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza or anything you recognize. I only own my original storyline, plot and any original characters.
Author's Note: A story that I started a while ago recently picked up and dusted off.
o0o
The Silver Dollar was jam packed that night in Virginia City; but the crowd was silent, all eyes watching the entertainment that had been presented by the owner.
Several hours ago, the owner of the Silver Dollar had been approached by a travelling foreign musical group. The man was dark skinned and had spoken with a thick but understandable accent asking if he and his group would be allowed to play in the saloon.
The owner -needing the business- had agreed. The man had been very happy and at five minutes past seven, he and two other dark skinned men had set up their instruments; small, handheld drums, a flute and another instrument that the owner couldn't identify.
Now as they played, the owner started to cringe. Not that the music was bad; he loved it, how it swirled around him and stirred something inside of him. No, it was what was also being done.
A young girl, a young white girl, was dancing. And not just dancing the waltz either; full on body dancing in his saloon. He knew that the mayor would have something to say about this, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her as the girl spun and stamped in time to music.
Her long, black hair twirled around her face as she spun on one foot. Her arms were bare; the collar of her sleeveless top was low. Her skirt was long and loose; nothing like a respectable lady would wear. Bangles were clasped around her wrists, ankles and they chimed in time to the drums.
None of the men in the saloon could keep from staring, watching the girl as she twirled around; bare feet carrying her across the floor. All of the bargirls were being ignored except for a drink request here and there, and he could see that they were beginning to get annoyed.
Hoss Cartwright was one of the men sitting in the saloon enjoying the different style of music. He looked relaxed, lounging in the chair that was almost too small for him, a glass of beer in one large hand. He watched, enamoured by the way the girl kept time to the music with her feet; heels striking the floor at the same time as the drum.
The owner was pleased when the music stopped and the girl stopped dancing, but something inside of him was disappointed. He wanted her to keep dancing, keep bringing the music alive.
The regular noise of the saloon returned and the bartender went back to serving drinks. The strangers began to prepare for their next number and the girl went back to them from the middle of the floor where she had been dancing.
A drunk cowhand stopped her, grabbing her upper arm. "Leaving so soon, honey? Why don't you have a drink with me?" His voice was slurred, indicating that he had too much to drink.
"Let go of me." The girl said firmly. Her accent was soft, barely there, but enough to give her voice an alluring quality.
The cowhand smiled at hearing it. "A voice like that speaks right to my soul, darling. Come and have a seat." He pulled her towards him, fully intending to yank her into his lap.
"Please." The girl replied in a cool tone as she pulled away from the man. "Let go of me!"
One large hand landed on the shoulder of the drunk cowhand and the man turned to face the angry face of Hoss Cartwright. "Leave the lady alone." Hoss ordered darkly.
The cowhand let go of the girl and she took a couple steps away, rubbing her arm where the cowboy had grabbed her.
"I was just having a bit of fun." The cowhand said lazily before he took a swung at Hoss. Hoss blocked the first punch and then struck back with a blow that sent the cowhand flying into a table, breaking it in half and raining beer and broken glass over the man's head.
Hoss walked over to the counter and set some money on the surface. "Sorry about the mess, Charlie." He told the bartender. "Here's something extra." Hoss turned away to look for the girl. He found her still standing near the doorway.
She stared back at him and then spun on her heel, grabbing her shawl from the chair by the door and walked out of the saloon.
Hoss started after her. "Miss! Miss, wait!"
He found her outside standing by the railing. The white shawl draped around her shoulders to keep out the cool night chill. Even though it was high summer and the days felt like an oven, the nights cooled off enough to make a man glad for his long sleeves.
"Do you want to buy me a drink as well?" The girl asked turning to Hoss. Hoss looked back at her and realized that up close she looked older, closer to Joe's age then the teenager he had originally thought she was.
"No, ma'am." Hoss answered truthfully taking off his hat. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"I am unharmed." She turned away from him, facing back to the street.
"Are you sure?" Hoss asked walking forward until he was standing beside her. "He grabbed you pretty hard."
The woman turned back to him, a gentle smile on her lips. "Yes, I am sure. Thank you for your concern, Mr?" She paused and Hoss realized she was asking for his name.
"Cartwright, ma'am. Hoss Cartwright." He replied quickly.
"Hoss." She repeated rolling the name around in her mouth, getting used to the sound. "What an unusual name."
"It's more of a nickname actually." Hoss explained. "It means big, friendly man."
"It suits you." She said with a more genuine smile this time, it reaching her green eyes. Hoss smiled back.
"Daughter! Come back inside!" Someone called from inside the saloon.
The woman turned away from the railing. "Excuse me. I must go back." She started towards the doorway.
"Wait, I don't believe I got your name." Hoss said stopping her just before the doors.
She turned back to him, one hand on the swinging door. "Tara." She told him. "It means star." Then pushing the door open, she vanished back into the saloon.
o0o
The next morning, Ben sat at the dining room table finishing his breakfast. Joe and Adam were already out and it was about eight o'clock before the stairs creaked and his last son came stumbling down, buttoning the last button on his shirt.
Ben stopped eating and watched Hoss walk across the living room towards them.
"Morning, Pa." Hoss said as he noticed his Pa's stare.
"Morning." Ben said setting down his fork. "It's about time you decided to get out of bed."
"Sorry, Pa." Hoss said as he sat down on his chair. "I guess I did stay out longer then I should've." He started to help himself to the beacon.
"I'd say so." Ben said. "You weren't in until well after one. Usually it's Joe I have to drag out of the bed in the morning."
Hoss paused with his fork to his mouth. He knew that tone. He set down his fork. "Oh, Pa! You know how it is. Feller doesn't get much chance to enjoy himself and when he does, he just wants to take it."
"I can understand that." Ben said. "But I hope you can understand how annoyed your brothers felt at having to do your chores this morning."
Hoss looked down at his plate, avoiding eye contact with his father.
"I thought you would." Ben said at seeing Hoss's expression. "There's some work to do on the north fence with morning. There are a couple of fence boards that have fallen down and I need someone to go up there and fix it. Seeing as you were the last one up this morning, I think you just volunteered yourself for the job."
Hoss picked up his fork again. "Yes, Pa." He replied.
o0o
Several hours later, after a lot of sweat and trouble, Hoss was practically finished the task. He decided to ride back to the ranch and finish after some well deserved lunch.
He was sitting at the table, digging into a slab of beef, when Ben walked in the front door. "How was the meeting, Pa?" Hoss called from the table.
"Ok." Ben grunted in answer as he hung up his hat and put his gun belt onto the table. "How'd you make out on that fence?"
"Good. I almost have it finished." Hoss replied as Ben walked into the dining room. "Just as soon as I finish this, I'll be back out there."
"That's good to hear." Ben replied.
The sound of horses reached his ears and Ben frowned. "I wonder who that could be?" He said walking towards the door. He opened it and walked onto the porch. A wagon was driving into the yard, pulled by two black horses.
The wagon stopped and Ben walked up to it, Hoss following behind him. A man sat on the wagon seat and woman in a shawl beside him. The man was dark skinned and wore a dark shirt covered by a red vest.
"Greetings!" The man called out as he swung down from the wagon seat. "Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
"I'm Ben Cartwright and this is my son, Hoss." Ben replied introducing himself.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cartwright." The man said. "My name is Pablo and this is my daughter." He motioned to the woman beside him. The woman nodded gently. Her head and upper body were covered by a large white shawl. Her green eyes stood out and Hoss thought he had seen those eyes before.
"We are travelling artists from overseas and we are passing through on our way to California." Pablo continued.
"Ah, I see." Ben said. "What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering who owns this fair land?" Pablo asked.
"I do." Ben said. "The Pondarosa we call it."
"Ah! Well, in that case, would you mind if me and my people camped on your land for a couple nights?" Pablo asked. "We won't be here long." He assured Ben. "We just need a quiet place to practice our music, away from the distractions of town life."
"No, I don't see any problem with that." Ben replied. "Where'd you have in mind?"
"A couple miles east of here." Pablo said. "It is a nice spot. Just right for us."
Ben nodded. The east was one of the more pretty spots in the Pondarosa. "That's fine with me." He said. "Stay as long as you need."
"Thank you, Mr. Cartwright." Pablo said with a smile; his white teeth bold in his dark face. "But we shan't stay longer then three nights at the most. Thank you again for your hospitality." He swung back into the wagon and slapped the rains on the back of the horses.
Ben stepped back and watched the wagon leave their yard.
o0o
Later that day as the sun was starting to set; Adam was riding along the east-ridge on his way back to the ranch, when he heard music coming from the grassy area to his right.
Frowning, he rained Sport and went to investigate. It didn't sound like a squatter's music, it was better then that. This was actual music, not the racket everyone insisted was music.
The trees blocked him and so Adam dismounted. He tied Sport to a tree branch and walked the rest of the way on foot. He stayed far enough back in the trees to go unnoticed. A fire had been lit and around it where gathered men and woman. The men all had some kind of instrument in their hands and that's where the music was coming from.
The music was haunting, but still had enough liveliness to dance too, which was what some of the woman were doing. Eventually, the music changed to a more upbeat tune and the woman fell away, letting one lone dancer continue.
She was younger then the rest and her black hair swirled around her as she moved quickly to the music. She was also lighter skinned and had definitely not been born overseas. The group gathered around the fire shouted encouragements to her. She kept on dancing, spinning faster and faster; the firelight flickering on her energetic figure. It made for one amazing display and Adam felt himself drawn to it.
The music seemed to go on forever. Finally, the girl turned once last time and then the music abruptly stopped. The girl stood there for a moment, her hair settling around her face and then she looked right at Adam; her green eyes dancing in the firelight.
Adam was sure she would call out or inform someone that he was there, but she didn't. Her fiery green eyes continued to stare at him. After what felt like an eternity, she looked away, turning back to the group gathered around the fire. They started to disperse and Adam turned to leave. A rustle of bushes came to his right and he looked to see one of the women from the camp step in front of him.
She was older, darker; her dark hair already turning grey and deep lines framing her face. She must have been very beautiful when she was younger.
She spoke urgently to him. "Please. You must leave, now." She looked behind her as if someone was following her.
Adam was about to tell her that he was already going, when she turned back to him and spoke again. "It's not safe here." She hissed in a low tone.
"Why?" Adam asked. "What are you afraid of?"
The woman looked scared. "Not now." She said. "He'll be looking for me." She took a step back. "Tell your family to stay away from Tara, and this camp." Then she was gone, back the way she had come.
Adam frowned as she disappeared. Why was she so afraid for them? And who in the world was Tara?
o0o
That night at supper, the entire Cartwright clan was there. Joe had gotten back late from chasing strays. Somehow, the fence had broken -the same fence that Hoss had fixed that afternoon- and some of their cows had escaped.
They were eating quietly when Hoss snapped his fingers. "That's it." He said. "I knew I had seen her somewhere before!"
Ben, Adam and Joe all stopped eating and looked at Hoss with confusion.
"Seen who, Hoss?" Joe asked.
"The woman that was sitting on the wagon this afternoon." Hoss replied.
Joe and Adam looked at each other and then to Ben in confusion.
"Oh, that's right." Ben said setting down his fork. "Adam, Joe, I forgot to tell you that I allowed some travelling musicians to stay in the east pasture for a few days."
"Some?" Adam asked. "How many are we talking about here?"
"From what Pablo said, I would guess… a dozen? Maybe more?" Ben said. "I didn't really think to ask. They're only going to be there for a couple nights."
"Well, I'd say there are more then a dozen." Adam said. "More like twenty."
"Did you see them?" Ben asked.
Adam nodded. "I came through there on my way home."
"Then you must have seen the girl." Hoss said excitedly.
"No. I didn't." Adam replied mildly.
"You didn't?" Hoss asked in confusion.
"No." Adam repeated. "I saw only woman and men. They were in the middle of practising their music and one of the women was dancing."
"This woman…. Did she have long, black hair? Worn loose?" Hoss asked.
Adam nodded. "Come to think of it, yes. She did."
"There!" Hoss said triumphantly. "I knew it!"
"What exactly does this woman look like?" Joe asked.
"She's about your age, Joe." Hoss said. "With long black hair, but she wears it loose and she has these green eyes that almost spark at you."
"She's also not a gypsy." Adam interrupted, putting his cup down.
"What do you mean?" Ben asked with a frown.
"All the other musicians or whatever they call themselves, are darker skinned then she is." Adam explained. "I'd imagine she was born somewhere here and then travelled to… Where did they say they came from?"
"They didn't." Ben said.
"What's so special about this girl, Hoss?" Joe asked.
"I don't know." Hoss admitted. "Her eyes just looked kind of sad, you know?" He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Course when that cowhand grabbed her, I was the one only one who did anything about it. I guess I just feel responsible somehow."
"Why?" Adam asked. "You weren't the one stupid enough to force her to dance in front if all those men." His tone was sharp, indicating what he thought of men who forced woman to do those sorts of things.
"Let's just let them have their space, alright?" Ben interjected quickly. "They'll be gone in few days and Virginia City will forget that they ever existed. Now, let's talk about our own affairs for once. Adam, how'd you do with those cattle from Crossings?"
Hoss only half listened to Adam's reply; his mind was still on the girl. He knew that Pa was right and that it was none of his business, but something nagged at him. Something didn't feel quite right.
o0o
Later that night, when the moon was covered by the clouds, the front door to the Cartwright's house eased open and one of the gypsies entered the entrance. He was a young man of Spanish descent. His feet, softly clad in moccasins, were silent on the hardwood floor. His greedy dark eyes glanced around, looking for what he might take, might steal.
Carefully he crept into the living room and looked over the books that Adam had left beside the armchair. A soft step at the door made him turn to see Tara standing in the doorway. Carlos made a flicking motion at her with one hand. Go away.
She shook her head and walked soundlessly across the floor on her bare feet to stand beside him. He ignored her and made for the china cabinet.
"Carlos! No!" She exclaimed in a low whisper, grabbing at his arm. "They are good people. Please, do not do this again."
"Stay out of this, Tara!" Carlos hissed at her. "You know nothing of our ways!"
"I know enough!" Tara hissed back at him. "I know that this is wrong! In any culture!"
"Go back and practice your dancing." Carlos retorted shaking her off. "Leave a man to his work or else I'll tell your father that you are involved with one of these machos." Carlos threatened.
Tara took a step back, momentary shocked at the lengths Carlos would go to satisfy his greed. Then she grabbed for his arm again. "No! I will not let you."
"Let go, woman!" Carlo hissed as he shoved her away from him. Tara's bare foot caught on the rug and she fell backwards, hitting her head on the table as she fell.
The thud was enough to wake someone upstairs and as footsteps came from overhead; Carlos froze for a moment, not too sure what to do. Then he bolted, running out the door, leaving it open behind him.
"Hey! You there!" Ben shouted from the top of the stairs. He had come to the landing just in time to see Carlos dart out the door. He hurried down the stairs and then to the front door. But by the time Ben got there, the man he had seen was long gone.
Adam, Hoss and Joe were all awake by now and they came down the stairs all in different states of undress.
"What is it, Pa?" Adam asked.
"A burglar." Ben said in disgust as he shut the door. "No doubt after our china." He turned back towards the stairs and then froze. A girl lay on the floor, her long dark hair spread out like a curtain above her. It looked like she had fallen.
Hoss, with a frown on his face, stepped down a couple more stairs. He was followed by Adam. Hoss's eyes widened as he recognized the girl he had met at the Silver Dollar.
